Comparison between the pharmacokinetics of meranzin hydrate in a rat model of chronic depression and in controls following the oral administration of Chaihu-Shugan-San

A Serum Pharmacochemistry and Network Pharmacology-based Approach to Study the Anti-depressant Effect of Chaihu-Shugan San

AIMS

The aim of this study is to explore the anti-depressant mechanism of Chaihu- Shugan San based on serum medicinal chemistry and network pharmacology methods.

BACKGROUND

Depression lacks effective treatments, with current anti-depressants ineffective in 40% of patients. Chaihu-Shugan San (CHSGS) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine compound to treat depression. However, the chemical components and the underlying mechanisms targeting the liver and brain in the anti-depressant effects of CHSGS need to be elucidated.

METHODS

The chemical components of CHSGS in most current network pharmacology studies are screened from TCMSP and TCMID databases. In this study, we investigated the mechanism and material basis of soothing the liver and relieving depression in the treatment of depression by CHSGS based on serum pharmacochemistry. The anti-depressant mechanism of CHSGS was further verified by proteomics and high-throughput data.

RESULTS

Through serum medicinal chemistry, we obtained 9 bioactive substances of CHSGS. These ingredients have good human oral bioavailability and are non-toxic. Based on liver ChIPseq data, CHSGS acts on 8 targets specifically localized in the liver, such as FGA, FGB, and FGG. The main contributors to CHSGS soothing the liver qi targets are hesperetin, nobiletin, ferulic acid, naringin and albiflorin. In addition, network pharmacology analysis identified 9 blood components of CHSGS that corresponded to 63 anti-depressant targets in the brain. Among them, nobiletin has the largest number of anti-depressant targets, followed by glycyrrhizic acid, ferulic acid, albiflorin and hesperetin. We also validated the anti-depressant mechanism of CHSGS based on hippocampal proteomics. CHSGS exerts anti-depressant effects on synaptic structure and neuronal function by targeting multiple synapse related proteins.

CONCLUSION

This study not only provides a theoretical basis for further expanding the clinical application of CHSGS, but also provides a series of potential lead compounds for the development of depression drugs.

Rapid Antidepressant-Like Potential of Chaihu Shugan San Depends on Suppressing Glutamate Neurotransmission and Activating Synaptic Proteins in Hippocampus of Female Mice

OBJECTIVE

To explore the rapid antidepressant potential and the underlying mechanism of Chaihu Shugan San (CSS) in female mice.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS was used to determine the content of main components in CSS to determine its stability. Female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control (saline), vehicle (saline), CSS (4 g/kg) and ketamine (30 mg/kg) groups. Mice were subjected to irregular stress stimulation for 4 weeks to establish the chronic mild stress (CMS) model, then received a single administration of drugs. Two hours later, the behavioral tests were performed, including open field test, tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), novelty suppression feeding test (NSF), and sucrose preference test (SPT). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) subtypes [N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NR1), NR2A, NR2B], synaptic proteins [synapsin1 and post synaptic density protein 95 (PSD95)], and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Moreover, the rapid antidepressant effect of CSS was tested by pharmacological technologies and optogenetic interventions that activated glutamate receptors, NMDA.

RESULTS

Compared with the vehicle group, a single administration of CSS (4 g/kg) reversed all behavioral defects in TST, FST, SPT and NSF caused by CMS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CSS also significantly decreased the expressions of NMDA subtypes (NR1, NR2A, NR2B) at 2 h in hippocampus of mice (all P<0.01). In addition, similar to ketamine, CSS increased levels of synaptic proteins and BDNF (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, the rapid antidepressant effects of CSS were blocked by transient activation of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Rapid antidepressant effects of CSS by improving behavioral deficits in female CMS mice depended on rapid suppression of NMDA receptors and activation of synaptic proteins.

Chaihu-shugan-san alleviates depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress by altering the gut microbiota and levels of the bile acids hyocholic acid and 7-ketoDCA

Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) is a traditional botanical drug formula often prescribed to treat depression in oriental countries, but its pharmacotherapeutic mechanism remains unknown. It was recently reported that CSS alters the composition of intestinal microflora and related metabolites such as bile acids (BAs). Since the intestinal microflora affects physiological functions of the brain through the gut-microbiota-brain axis, herein we investigated whether CSS altered BA levels, gut microflora, and depression-like symptoms in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice, a well-established mouse model of depression. Furthermore, we determined whether BA manipulation and fecal microbiota transplantation altered CSS antidepressant actions. We found that the BA chelator cholestyramine impaired the antidepressant effects of CSS, which was partially rescued by dietary cholic acid. CSS increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis in the colon of CUMS mice, and increased serum levels of various BAs including hyocholic acid (HCA) and 7-ketodeoxycholic acid (7-ketoDCA). Furthermore, gut bacteria transplantation from CSS-treated mice into untreated or cholestyramine-treated CUMS mice restored serum levels of HCA and 7-ketoDCA, alleviating depression-like symptoms. In the hippocampus, CSS-treated mice had decreased expression of genes associated with BA transport (Bsep and Fxr) and increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor, TrkB. Overall, CSS increases intestinal P. distasonis abundance, leading to elevated levels of secondary BAs in the circulation and altered expression of hippocampal genes implicated in BA transport and neurotrophic signaling. Our data strongly suggest that the gut microbiota-brain axis contributes to the potent antidepressant action of CSS by modulating BA metabolism.

Phytochemical and Therapeutic Potential of Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck: A Review

Citrus grandis or Citrus maxima, widely recognized as Pomelo is widely cultivated in many countries because of their large amounts of functional, nutraceutical and biological activities. In traditional medicine, various parts of this plant including leaf, pulp and peel are used for generations as they are scientifically proven to have therapeutic potentials and safe for human use. The main objective of this study was to review the different therapeutic applications of Citrus grandis and the phytochemicals associated with its medicinal values. In this article different pharmacological properties like antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiepileptic, stomach tonic, cardiac stimulant, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and anti-diabetic activities of the plant are highlighted. The enrichment of the fruit with flavonoids, polyphenols, coumarins, limonoids, acridone alkaloids, essential oils and vitamins mainly helps in exhibiting the pharmacological activities within the body. The vitamins enriched fruit is rich in nutritional value and also has minerals like calcium, phosphorous, sodium and potassium, which helps in maintaining the proper health and growth of the bones as well as the electrolyte balance of the body. To conclude, various potential therapeutic effects of Citrus grandis have been demonstrated in recent literature. Further studies on various parts of fruit, including pulp, peel, leaf, seed and it essential oil could unveil additional pharmacological activities which can be beneficial to the mankind.

The Herb-Drug Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Fluoxetine and Its Metabolite Norfluoxetine with a Traditional Chinese Medicine in Rats by LC-MS/MS

Background

Fluoxetine (FLU) is the first-line and widely used medication for depression. The combination of Chaihu Shugan san (CSGS) and FLU is commonly used to enhance antidepressant effects and reduce side effects.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic effect of CSGS on FLU.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-two healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups, the fluoxetine group and multiple dose groups A, B, and C. The rats in the different groups were orally administered with a combination of FLU and different doses of CSGS for 14 d. On the fifteenth day, serial blood samples were taken from the caudal vein before the administration and at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after the administration. A liquid-liquid extraction method was applied to extract the analytes from serum. Then, the concentrations of FLU and its metabolite, norfluoxetine (NOF), were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 3.2.8 program and compared by statistic analysis.

Results

Compared with the FLU group, the FLU and NOF area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (0–∞) in multiple dose group C was significantly increased, while the NOF AUCs (0–∞) in multiple dose group A and multiple dose group B were decreased. Compared with the FLU group, the NOF clearance (CL) in multiple dose group C was decreased, while the CL in multiple dose groups A and B was increased.

Discussion and Conclusion

There were some differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the FLU group and multiple dose groups, and CSGS can affect the pharmacokinetics of fluoxetine.

A selective and sensitive UFLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of five alkaloids from Piper longum L. and its application in the pharmacokinetic study of 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease rats

The alkaloids from Piper longum L. (PLA) mainly contain piperine (PPR), piperlongumine (PPL), Δα,β-dihydropiperlonguminine (DPPL), piperanine (PPRA) and pellitorine (PLTR), which have neuroprotective effects on a 6-OHDA-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). To elucidate the pharmacokinetic profiles of these main compounds in PD rats, we developed a rapid, selective and sensitive ultra-fast liquid chromatography-electronic spray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-ESI-MS/MS) method which was validated for the simultaneous determination of the 5 absorbed compounds in the plasma of 6-OHDA-induced PD rats. The plasma samples were pretreated using a protein precipitation method with methanol/acetonitrile (1 : 1, v/v). The analytes and internal standard (IS) were separated on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and a 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min-1. The total chromatographic running time was 4.5 min. The detection was performed with positive electrospray ionization (ESI) using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode of transitions at m/z 286.2 → 201.2, m/z 274.2 → 201.2, m/z 276.2 → 135.1, m/z 288.2 → 135.1, m/z 224.1 → 168.2, and m/z 472.1 → 436.1 for PPR, PPL, DPPL, PPRA, PLTR and IS, respectively. All five analytes showed excellent linearity (R > 0.995) within the concentration range of 0.20-5000 ng mL-1. The established method was then applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of multi-components (PPR, PPL, DPPL, PPRA and PLTR) in PD rats after oral administration of PLA. The results showed that no obvious differences were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters of PPR, PPL, DPPL, PPRA and PLTR in PD rats compared with those in sham rats after oral administration of PLA except for MRTs for PPR, PPL and PLTR. Additionally, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were related to the concentrations of the multi-components in plasma.

Pharmacokinetic Study of 7 Compounds Following Oral Administration of Fructus Aurantii to Depressive Rats

In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of multi-components (naringenin, nobiletin, meranzin hydrate, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, and neohesperidin) were investigated in acute depressive rats following oral administration of Fructus Aurantii (Zhi-Qiao, ZQ) extract (20 g/kg). A rapid and reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was established to quantitatively or qualitatively analyze the 7 absorbed ingredients in the plasma, hippocampus and cortex of acute depressive rats. Biological samples were separated on a 300SB-C18 column, and the 7 compounds were detected with sequential positive and negative ionization modes. Our results confirmed that ZQ has antidepressant effects by decreasing the immobility time. In addition, this validated method showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9987), and the lower limits of quantification were 2.73–16.38 ng/mL for the 7 analytes. This method successfully determined the pharmacokinetics of the 7 compounds and separated two pairs of isomers in plasma of acute depressive rats following oral administration of ZQ extracts. The 7 active ingredients were also identified as marked compounds in target tissues and should be further examined in pharmacokinetic studies with acute depressive rats. So, pharmacokinetic compounds were precisely linked with the antidepressant effect of ZQ in our study. This relationship is well-understood and contributes to the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The effects of EGb761 on lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behaviour in C57BL/6J mice

There is an increasing body of evidence for the involvement of inflammation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in depression. Ginkgo extract EGb761 possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-arteriosclerosis, and neuroprotective activities. But the effect of EGb761 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive-like behaviours has not been investigated. The present study mainly aimed to examine the antidepressant-like activities of Ginkgo extract EGb761 in mice after lipopolysaccharide administration. C57BL/6J male mice were pretreated with EGb761 or vehicle for 10 days. Then, a single dose of lipopolysaccharide was intraperitoneally administrated to mice to induce depressive-like behaviour. Forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test were performed to evaluate the depressive-like behaviours of the mice. Locomotor activity was examined by open field test. Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-10 in hippocampus tissue homogenate were measured using ELISA kits. We found that LPS administration induced significant depressive-like behaviours, higher levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, and IL-17A, but lower levels of BDNF and IL-10 in hippocampus tissue homogenate of the mice from the vehicle group compared to the control mice. Pretreatment with middle dose (100 mg/kg/day) and high dose (150 mg/kg/day) of EGb761 significantly attenuated depressive-like behaviours without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity, and inhibited the changes of hippocampal cytokines and BDNF induced by LPS administration. We conclude that EGb761 has antidepressant-like activities in mice with LPS-induced depressive-like behaviours.

Herbal medicine for hospitalized patients with severe depressive episode: a retrospective controlled study

Herbal medicine is increasingly used in depressed patients. The purpose of this retrospective controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine treatment of severe depressive episode. A total of 146 severely depressed subjects were selected from patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychosomatics of Tongde Hospital at Hangzhou, China between 1st September 2009 and 30th November 2013. While all were medicated with psychotropic drugs, 78 received additional individualized herbal medicine. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured using 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) at admission and thereafter once weekly during hospital stay. The proportion of patients achieving clinical response and remission and incidence of adverse events were compared. The two groups had similar average length of hospital stay for approximately 28 days and were not different in the use of psychotropic medications. Survival analysis revealed that patients with herbal medicine had significantly higher chance of achieving clinical response [relative risk (RR)=2.179, P<0.001] and remission (RR=5.866, P<0.001) compared to those without herbal medicine. Patients with herbal medicine experienced remarkably fewer incidences of physical tiredness, headache, palpitation, dry mouth and constipation, but had a significantly higher incidence of digestive discomfort compared to patients without herbal medicine. These results indicate that additional treatment with individualized herbal medicine enhances antidepressant response and reduces certain side effects associated with psychotropic medications. Herbal medicine is an effective and relatively safe therapy for severe depressive episode (Trial Registration: ChiCTR-OCH-13003864).